Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-05-20
EXPLOSION OF A BOILER.
TWO MEN KILLED AND THE BUILD.
ING KNOCKED TO PIECES.
Richmond State.


Richmond State.l
Last Saturday night few min
1tes before 9 o'clock persons in the
central portion of the city were
startled by terrific explosion, pro-
ceeding from the direction of the
south side of the basin. Many per
sons at first supposed a locomotive
had exploded at some of the de-
pots, but it was soon ascertained
that a boiler had exploded in the
mill of the Richmond Paper Manu-
featuring Company, and In short
time an immense crowd had assem-
bled at the scene of the accident
The boiler was six feet in diameter
and twenty-five feet long. The
force of the explosion was so great
that one half of the boiler was lifted
up and hurled through the air a
distance OF one hundred and forty
feet, knocking down in its course n
thick brick wall and finally landing
against the brick wall in the rear
of the paper mill premises on Arch
street. Another portion Of II,
weighing several tons, landed near
Woodward d Sons lumber yard.
Another piece of the boiler struck
the tall brick stack, knocking it
down. The building in which the
boiler stood was entirely destroyed.
AS soon as the excitement had
somewhat abated inquiries were
made as to the whereabouts of the
employees who were known 70 have
been in the building.
BLOWN INTO THE WATER.
Several persons entered the main
mill, Mr.. II. r. Ezekial in the lead,
and the engineer, Alex Gaines,
colored, was met at the foot of the
basement steps making his way
ont. lie was in very nervous con-
dition, but after getting into the
open air he became more composed
and it was ascertained that he was
not seriously hurt.
Gaines said that he was standing
in the Mushroom, about forty feet
from the bOiler-rOOm, when he
heard terrible noise. Instantly
he was lifted up and thrown into
one of the washers, which was filed
with water and pulp, large piece
of the boiler passing over his head.
He crawled out of the washer as
soon as he could and made his way
to the steps.
TWO VICTIMS.
About this time Mr.. Z. ID. Chris
tan arrived at the mills. II was
reported that two men, Peter Pryor
(colored) and Mr.. Josheph G. Met
teri, we're in the ruins.
Mr.. Christian called for volun-
teers to rescue the unfortunate men,
offering to pay literally for the
work. But he met with no re-
Spouse. In the meantime the hook
and.ladder truck was sent for, and
upon its arrival the firemen, under
the direction of Chief Fuqua, went
manfully to work, and after long
search came upon the bodies Of the
men. They were found lying close
together IN the northwest corner of
the boiler-room.
Mr.. Mettert had several ribs and
his right arm broken, and his face
and body badly scalded by the
steam. Pryor had no bones broken,
but was badly scalded.
Coroner Taylor was of the Opin.
ion that the two men were instant
" killed by the cOncussion, and
that the heavy mass OF bricks and
timbers falling upon Mr.. Mettert
had broken his bones.
The body of Pryor was sent 20
Manchester, where his family re.
sided. The body Of Mr. Mettert
was removed to the undertaking
rooms of Mr.. L. T. Christian, on
Broad street, where i was pre-
pared for burial.
Mr.. Mettert was the son of the
Waterman at the mill. lie was not
in the employ of the paper.mill COM
pany, but had come there TO bring
his fathers supper, and after hand
ing his father the bucket went
down into the rag boiler.room to
see Peter Pryor. The two men, a
few minutes before the explosion,
we're seen by the engineer, Gaines,
standing near the boiler talking
Mr.. Mettert was about thirty years
old, and was in the employ Of the
Richmond and Allegheny Railroad
Company. lie leaves a wife and
one child.
CORONER's INQUEST.
Coroner Taylor yesterday after
noon at 3 o'clock held an inquest
upon the body of Mr.. Mettert.
THE VERDICT.
The jury returned a verdict that
Joseph G.. Mettert came to his death
from injuries received by the ex-
plosiOn of a boiler at the mill
of the Richmond Paper Company,
and they are of opinion that the
boiler was of an inferior quality,
but as well as they can ascertain
no blame should be attached 70 the
paper company.